12.18.2014

Before we jump into the most wonderful week of the year, I wanted to quickly share a few snapshots from Jenna's first birthday party that we hosted last week. For all of you with December loved ones, you can clue me in on how to differentiate the birthday to the holiday for years to come, but with all the sparkle and twinkle in the air, pops of black, white and gold were on the menu.

Just a family affair, which means a house full of six cousins and one big sister, we ate from giant pots of homemade chicken tortilla soup with cornbread muffins, drank and were merry over Christmas cookie decorating after diving into birthday cake; Ina Garten's coconut cake that is now my all-time favorite cake. In the world. I'm done searching.

12.08.2014

When it rolls off my tongue, it sounds like "jelly bean," which is what we have called you since the day we brought you home. Of all your nicknames, it's my favorite because it's so accurate. Everything about you is one happy, sweet jelly bean.

You don't know this yet, but you will: birthdays are such a gut check. They are good at getting us to pause and take stock in this life. I'm overcome with such joy when I think about what you have brought to our lives in just one year, and how far we've come.

This first year is such a marathon sprint. With your patience and deep belly giggles, you've allowed me to slow down, loosen my grip and make mistakes, and attempt to do it all with a bit of grace. You've made me tougher on the outside but so much softer on the inside. Pregnancy hormones have nothing on you.

It's so very hard to describe just how magical you are, but if you can take the warmth of this Christmas season and multiply it 365 days, then you might have an idea of the light and love you share with our family every single day. You are my daily dose of twinkle lights, all year round.

Just the thought of your happy smile makes me crumble with such gratitude that you are mine.

Happy birthday, my big one year old.

I love you forever.

Thanks to my amazing sister-in-law who captured these moments and my heart at Jenna's first birthday party with her cousins last night.

I'm Alison and I’m a blog-reader-turned writer. I love details, décor, fresh flowers, paper and the color white. I'm a publicist in the events industry, sharing adventures in cooking, entertaining and life in our tiny beach house in Southern California.